The East Bay Bicycle Coalition, also known as EBBC, is an Californian non-profit organization that worked since 1972 toward "promoting bicycling as an everyday means of transportation and recreation" in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. As a tax-exempt 501(c)3 grassroots bicycle advocacy organization, EBBC endeavors to broaden awareness of bicycling with local, regional, and state government agencies and their staff, as well as elected officials, and the general public they represent.
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The coalition was founded in 1972 Alexander Zuckermann, who was among the first to persuade BART to allow bicycles aboard its trains.[1] Zuckerman also lobbied successfully for bike access on the Richmond-San Rafael, Benicia and Carquinez bridges, among other accomplishments. The bike and pedestrian path on the new eastern span of the Bay Bridge will be named for him.
The coalition now counts over 2000 dues-paying members, plus several thousand members of nineteen affiliated clubs and organizations that are part of the coalition.
EBBC is developing community liaisons for all 33 cities that EBBC represents, to include promoting the efforts of bicycle advisory committees in those municipalities; coordinating the annual Bike-to-Work Day in the East Bay; promoting bicycle access on all roads, at all facilities, and on all transit for both sides of the hills; improving BART access and parking; obtaining safe and convenient bicycle parking in downtown areas and other key destinations. EBBC also watchdogs the spending of millions of dollars in transportation and strategic planning funds it has succeeded in allocating for bicycle facilities.
EBBC is also currently engaged in joint efforts in Oakland with the East Bay's Cycles of Change organization to establish two Neighborhood Bicycle Centers (NBC's) to serve low income cyclists, one in East Oakland, and another in West Oakland.
In 1994, following joints efforts with the City of Oakland's Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), the coalition began celebrating Bike to Work Day with a free pancake breakfast at Oakland's City Hall Plaza. Today the event has become an annual celebration on a regional and national scale.
EBBC strives to inform both bicyclists and motorists with its Bicycle Safety Quiz, which it has made available online, and in Chinese and Spanish. The coalition also supports traffic safety classes in the East Bay which endeavor to educate cyclists on how to drive a bicycle safely and more effectively. The coalition offers bike commuting workshops to employers and other groups that wish to foster bicycle commuting to work, errands, and play.
The coalition publishes two East Bay Bicycle Transportation Maps, one covering areas "East of the Hills" and another covering areas "West of the Hills," which planners and activists have used as templates for municipal bike plans in the East Bay.
Members are kept informed of advocacy issues with eleven issues of "rideOn," the coalition newsletter, each year. The mailing label on the back of the newsletter can be clipped and presented at 49 supporting bike shops for a 10-15% discount.
The coalition holds General Membership Meetings at a variety of public venues in both counties to engage the energy and talents of its grassroots base.
EBBC has a long history of advocating for broad-based and sustainable transportation and land use planning solutions that also enhance the built environment for pedestrians and transit riders. The EBBC website links to educational material and activists working toward Bus Rapid Transit,[2], better pedestrian safety and facilities, and smart growth
The coalition, and its vast volunteer network across two counties, frequently offers free, secure, valet bicycle parking at cultural and civic events throughout the East Bay.
The coalition, and its diverse constituencies, have achieved numerous public policy accomplishments over the years in areas of state and local legislation and administrative regulation to include: helping secure $1 billion in funding for the Regional Bicycle Network included in MTC's T2035 Plan; bicycle access on BART trains, all Bay Area ferry services, all East Bay bus systems, as well as bicycle access on Golden Gate Transit buses across the Richmond-San Rafael bridge. The coalition helped implement the Caltrans Bay Area Bridge Bicycle Shuttle and worked to pass Prop 116 funding for Amtrak's Bike-Friendly California Cars on Capitol and San Joaquin trains by 1990. EBBC's calls for "Routine Accommodation" of bicyclists in all transportation projects were adopted by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission a regional planning, financing, and funding government agency in the San Francisco Bay Area which coordinates the transit systems in the area's nine counties.
In 2000, EBBC worked to pass Alameda County Measure B which implemented Alameda County's twenty-year Transportation Expenditure Plan which included a 5% set-aside to fund implementation of the Countywide Bicycle Plan. In 2004, EBBC also supported Contra Costa County Measure J, a 1.5% set-aside to fund implementation of Contra Costa County's bike plan. In 2004, EBBC worked to pass the Safe Routes to Transit program as part of the Regional Measure 2 toll increase, to include $20 million in ongoing funding for the program, and later helping to secure an additional $10 million per year for the program in MTC's T2035 Plan.
The coalition has established citizen-driven Bicycle Advisory Committees in several East Bay cities to review plans and prioritize funding.
The Coalition's staff consists of an Executive Director who coordinates the day-to-day responsibilities of the coalition, an Outreach Coordinator who works on building membership and engaging volunteers in year-round advocacy and social activities, and an executive board, and hundreds of volunteer members.